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326 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.
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Adversarys Purloin of His old settled Possessions and just
Rights on the Eastern Shore, and that you'l Encrease the same
with Grants to Tenants by all Justifiable Means.
War or Peace seems here at a stand, Hostility with France
and England goes on by Reprisals at Sea, the Equivalent
thereby is greatly at present with us; here is arrived great
Boast from Paris of the Toulon and Brest Squadrons, when
join'd they threaten us Destruction! Brag's a good Dog, But
holdfast's a better. We have of their Navy and Trading Ships
in hand. The following are some operations of our Parliament
Sittings for 1756 vizt 34,000 Effective men including 3759
Invalids. — £209,854 for maintaining the Forces in the Planta-
tions. — £15,243. and £146, 721. for the Charge of the office of
Ordinance and Extra Expences not provided for of that office. —
50,000 men for the Sea Service at £4. p man p month
including ordinance, with £219,021 for the ordinary.
After very long debates with Divisions on the Russians and
Hessians Troops as Supplys to His Majesty, It passed in the
Affirmative 263 against 69. vizt
That £100,000 be granted to the Empress of Russia for
72000 Auxiliary Troops, if necessary, pursuant to Treaty.
That £54,140. 12.6 be granted to the Landgrave of Hesse
Cassel for 8,000 Troops in hand and 4,000 Horse as Auxiliaries,
pursuant to Treaty.
That £10,000 be granted to the Elector of Bavaria pursuant
to Treaty.
Land Tax Four shillings in the pound.
On Condemnation of the French Captures, It passed in the
Negative 211 against 81.
On His Majesty's Message on the deplorable Event to
Portugal, £ 100,000 Relief to that Kingdom.
Inclosed I send you the London Gazette in which is a Letter,
Lisbon the 6th of December 1755 from Abraham Castres Esqr
His Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary to the King of Portugal,
on the Calamities from a most tremendous Earthquake, on the
first of the last month, which Reduced that City to a heap of
Rubish and Ruins, followed by a Conflagration of more Mis-
chief than the Earthquake it self.
It is Certain as Mr Hervey Observes in his Thereon and
Aspasio, Speaking of Earthquake, he says; Of all Divine
Visitations, this is the most terrible Vindictive, puts a Period
in a few Minutes to the work of Ages, ruins all without Dis-
tinctions, and there is no Defence against its Stroke.
His Portuguese Majesty with his Family were retired to
their Palace near Belem by the Sea, about three Leagues off,
and ('tis said) the Eve before the inhuman Festival of the
Inquisition, by Burning the unfortunate People Condemn'd by
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